Ashdod Delivery Sector Shaken by Massive Extortion and Crime Syndicate Indictment
Prosecutors in Be'er Sheva have moved to detain Eyal Nagar, accused of leading a violent criminal syndicate that extorted food delivery businesses and couriers in Ashdod.
Organized crime has tightly gripped the food delivery sector in Ashdod, according to an indictment filed by the Southern District Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors have asked the Be'er Sheva District Court to detain Eyal Nagar until the end of legal proceedings, alleging he led a violent criminal group that terrorized local business owners and couriers.
The high-profile case was cracked with the help of undercover police operatives who infiltrated the Ashdod food delivery market between May 2025 and August 2026. The state has charged Nagar with thousands of counts of extortion by threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, protection racketeering, corporate document fraud, tax evasion, destruction of evidence, and money laundering totaling 10 million shekels.
Extortion and Corporate Takeover
According to the indictment, Maor Azriel established the 'Mar Mishloach' food delivery company in Ashdod in 2018. By 2023, Nagar had allegedly become a covert 20% partner in the company without registering or reporting to tax authorities. Prosecutors state that Nagar leveraged his criminal reputation to take over the company's operations, using fear to control local businesses and eliminate competition.
The respondent harnessed a legitimate business and its employees to serve his gang, turning the fear of his name into a tool of control that yielded money, services, and power, prosecutors stated in the court filing.
Extortion Rings and Co-Conspirators
The indictment details extensive financial extortion, claiming Nagar extorted 180,000 shekels in escalating monthly payments from Azriel himself. In a separate twist, business owners Roy Tsapana and Yaniv Azran reportedly extorted 400,000 shekels from Azriel with Nagar's backing. Separate indictments have also been filed against Azriel, who has reportedly confessed and may testify against Nagar in exchange for a plea arrangement.
